World War II Honoree

Thomas Joseph Bartko

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Glassport, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Jackie Cain

Relationship

Friend

GREAT LAKES TRAINING CENTER, LITTLE CREEK, VIRGINIA AMPHIBIOUS BASE. RHODE ISLAND GUNNERY SCHOOL, SHIPPED TO GLASGOW, SCOTLAND. ASSIGNED TO USS LCG 426 BECAME PART OF GUNNERY SUPPORT GROUP. D-DAY POSITIONED AT OMAHA BEACH, D-DAY+2 THE 426 ENTERED THE HARBOR AT PORT EN BESSON IN SUPPORT OF THE 'BIG RED 1' DIVISION. TRANSPORTED BACK TO THE STATES ASSIGNED TO USS CLEARFIELD APA-142. DELIVERED TROOPS TO LEYTE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. LANDED THE 77TH INFANTRY DIVISION DURING OKINAWA CAMPAIGN ON EASTER SUNDAY. BEGAN STAGING FOR ASSAULT ON JAPAN. WAS PRESENT AT THE SURRENDER CEREMONY, V-J DAY TOKYO BAY. DELIVERED THE MARINES TO TOKU FORTS, CHINA. MARCH 1946 CLEARFIELD HEADED HOME LANDED IN SEATTLE. DUTIES WERE GUN CREW AND COXSWAIN LANDING CRAFT.